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Circle will offer NFC contactless transactions for USDC payments on iPhones, the company’s CEO Jeremy Allaire said in a recent statement.

The upcoming feature will take advantage of Apple’s recent decision to let third-party developers use the iPhone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) chip and Secure Element (SE) technology. Apple will charge a fee for use of the technology.

Allaire said NFC capabilities were previously limited to Apple’s Wallet app and Apple Pay. The new policy would allow point-of-sale systems to communicate directly with blockchain-enabled iPhone wallets, allowing for seamless USDC transactions.

For example, an iOS wallet that supports USDC could allow users to transfer funds to NFC devices such as payment terminals or other iPhones with a single touch.

The new functionality will not be limited to USDC, but will also be extended to other digital assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and various stablecoins like EURC, Allaire added.

Last month, Circle became the first global stablecoin issuer to be licensed under Europe’s MiCA, allowing it to issue USDC and EURC. It’s important to note, however, that Apple’s new NFC and SE APIs are rolling out in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US, and the UK, but not yet in the EU.

NFC Technology in Crypto Settings

NFC technology is widely used in mobile payment systems because it allows users to make quick transactions with a simple tap. Integrating the technology into the crypto ecosystem can also offer multiple benefits.

NFC-enabled crypto wallets allow users to quickly send and receive crypto, without the need for complicated QR codes or long addresses.

Businesses can also use NFC to create loyalty programs that reward customers with crypto for purchases. Customers can use their NFC devices at checkout to earn tokens, which can later be redeemed for discounts or other benefits.

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